• Florida law allows poker games at licensed parimutuel facilities but does not address Internet poker. Federal law prohibits Internet gambling of any type; however more than 2,000 websites exist and many allow United States residents, including Floridians, to gamble online. Several factors may affect the future of Internet gambling. Pending federal legislation that seeks to license and regulate Internet gambling would reverse current U.S. law. In addition, advocates interpret a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit to suggest that intrastate Internet gambling already may be legal.
• If the Legislature wishes to provide consumer protections for Internet poker, it could consider three options: (1) maintain the status quo and monitor federal legislation that would establish a federal licensing system; (2) adopt laws that would prohibit Internet poker; or (3) adopt laws to authorize and regulate intrastate Internet poker. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these options.

Which Government Program Summaries contain related information?

Pari-mutuel Wagering Regulation

What other OPPAGA-related materials are available?

• Report No. 13-02 Lottery Revenue Has Increased Over the Past Year; Options Remain to Enhance Transfers,published in January 2013.
• Report No. 12-05 Recovery Expected in Lottery Revenue; Options Remain to Enhance Transfers,published in February 2012.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by telephone (850/488-0021), by FAX (850/487-9213), in person, or by mail (OPPAGA Report Production, Claude Pepper Building, Room 312, 111 W. Madison St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475).
e-mail address: oppaga@oppaga.fl.gov